UPDATE: We're delighted to say that Tess Mile was Highly Commended and Professor Biggins was the winner! Many congratulations to both - very well deserved.

Tutorial Office Manager Tess Milne, Director of Studies in Law Dr Andrew Sanger, and Director of Studies in Engineering, Professor John Biggins have been shortlisted for the University of Cambridge 2024 Student-Led Teaching Awards. 

Tess was shortlisted in the Student Support (Non-Academic Staff) category which recognises the outstanding student welfare or pastoral support from a member of staff whose primary relationship to the student is non-academic. 

Tess joined Corpus nine years ago as Post-Graduate Administrator and took on her current role in 2021. When asked what she likes most about her job Tessa said: “I love the interactions with the students and the variety of things that pop up on a daily basis.”

John is from Sheffield, and first came to Corpus as an undergraduate to read physics. He is Professor of Soft-Matter Engineering in the Department of Engineering. His research centers on the theoretical description of soft solids, including rubber, skin, muscle and jelly. He may be best-known for his YouTube video explaining 'the chain fountain' which demonstrates why he is such a clear and engaging teacher. He was shortlisted for Student Support for outstanding student welfare or pastoral support.

Andrew, a previous winner, was shortlisted for the Research Supervisor Award for outstanding supervisors of research students, including both PhD and research-based MPhil courses. 

Andrew is a University Associate Professor in International Law and a Fellow of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law. He is also Director of Studies in Law at Corpus. In 2022, he won the award for Small-Group Teaching (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences), and the following year he was nominated and shortlisted for a national teaching award, the Oxford University Press (OUP) Law Teacher of the Year 2023. Most recently he was awarded a University prize in teaching — the Pilkington Prize for Excellence in Teaching for 2024. 

On being nominated Andrew said, "It is a huge honour, particularly because these awards are led by students. Teaching in all its forms is a privilege and a real pleasure, and I am incredibly lucky to have such kind, engaged, thoughtful and intelligent students. I am so very grateful to all of them, past and present."

This year a total of 645 nominations from students were received, which is testament to the huge variety of exceptional contributions made by staff at the University. 

The Student-Led Teaching Awards (SLTAs) exist to reward outstanding teaching and student support across Cambridge University and its Colleges. The winners will be announced at the Award ceremony which will take place on Tuesday 13 June, shortlisted nominees will be invited to the ceremony, along with the students who nominated them.

Good luck to Tess, Andrew and John - all worthy winners!